Iraq, U.S. Seeking Compromise On Security

Team Infidel

Forum Spin Doctor
Baltimore Sun
June 20, 2008 By Associated Press
BAGHDAD--Iraq's Foreign Ministry said yesterday that Iraqi and U.S. officials are seeking a compromise on the pending issues over a new security agreement between the two countries.
The statement came a day after Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari met with President Bush to discuss the security agreement meant to replace the United Nations mandate for foreign forces, which expires at the end of the year.
"Both sides agreed on finding suitable solutions for pending issues in order to reach an agreement that answers their needs," the ministry said.
Later, the White House said Bush discussed the negotiations during a teleconference call with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and that the dialogue over the agreement was "proceeding well."
"President Bush confirmed the United States' commitment to forge an agreement that fully respects Iraqi sovereignty," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council.
"Prime Minister al-Maliki confirmed his commitment to conclude an agreement that meets our mutual interests across the subject areas outlined in the Declaration of Principles, including economic, diplomatic and security cooperation," he added.
There was no statement from the Iraqis about the call.
Iraqi officials and lawmakers have opposed the proposed security pact, saying that it infringes on Iraqi sovereignty, and the government is seeking a larger role in the deal. They criticized the purported U.S. failure to offer a firm commitment to defend the country from invasion and a demand for immunity from prosecution in Iraqi courts for all American personnel in Iraq.
Also in contention has been the number of bases the United States would maintain in the country and whether the U.S. military would retain the power to arrest Iraqi civilians and keep them in U.S. detention facilities.
"President Bush expressed his understanding to the concerns raised by the Iraqi government during the ongoing negotiations to sign a strategic security agreement," the ministry statement said.
In other actions yesterday, Iraqi troops arrested the mayor of the southern city of Amarah, raising tensions with followers of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr as a third Iraqi military operation against Shiite militias in recent months got under way.
U.S.-backed Iraqi soldiers and police fanned out across the city of about 450,000, a Sadrist stronghold and hub of smuggler networks bringing in weapons from Iran to Shiite extremists.
 
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